Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RVC appoints director of new general practice division
“It is essential for the veterinary sector that successful, sustainable general veterinary practices thrive” – Katharine Nelson.
Katharine Nelson is set to take up the role.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has appointed veterinary surgeon Katharine Nelson as its first director of general practice.

She will lead the RVC’s new general practice division when she takes up the role later this year.

The division has been created to develop the RVC’s general practices through improved operational delivery, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between its general practice sites.

Dr Nelson will be joining from the RVC-owned Acorn House Veterinary Hospital in Bedford. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, she has worked at the practice for the past 21 years as practice principal. Earlier this year, she was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for services to clinical practice.

As director of general practice, her role will be to uphold high standards of care, teaching and research and raise the profile of general practice within the veterinary profession. She will also form part of the RVC’s clinical leadership team, which is responsible for the strategic direction, delivery and accountability of the general practices.

Dr Nelson said: “It is essential for the veterinary sector that successful, sustainable general veterinary practices thrive; that a career in general practice is valued and respected by the profession; and that the knowledge and experience of general practitioners is considered alongside that of veterinary specialists as the profession evolves.

“For these reasons, I am delighted to be taking up the role of director of general practice at the Royal Veterinary College.

“By leading the RVC’s general practice sites to pursue the highest standards of contextualised care, research and teaching, I am looking forward to shaping the student experience to produce a generation of veterinary surgeons ideally prepared to care for the patients and clients in the communities they serve.”

Amanda Boag, vice-principal for clinical services at the RVC, said: “I am delighted that Katharine Nelson will be joining the RVC in our new role of director of general practice.

“Katharine has spent her clinical career in general practice and brings with her a wealth of clinical and operational experience that will help us evolve our general practice sites and provide our students with the best possible experiential learning.”

Image © RVC

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.